Gemotions

A cold sweat slicked Amelia’s palms as she stared at the spreadsheet. It was supposed to be a casual glance, a quick check-in on the project budget. Instead, her breath hitched. The numbers swam. Sarah, barely a year out of college, was listed at a higher salary. Amelia’s fingers, suddenly numb, fumbled as she tried to close the file. The screen flickered before her eyes, an unwelcome, mocking grin.

Her stomach churned, a heavy, sinking feeling. She pictured the upcoming performance review. Her boss, Mr. Henderson, was all smiles and empty platitudes. She wondered if he knew. Did everyone know? The office air suddenly felt thick, suffocating. Each tap of the keyboard, each hushed conversation, seemed to be directed at her, a silent judgment.

She excused herself from the meeting, muttering something about a headache. The fluorescent lights of the hallway seemed to pulsate, mirroring the frantic rhythm in her chest. She needed to escape, to breathe. The elevator ride down felt excruciatingly slow, each floor a fresh wave of dread.